Rabbit Litter
Any rabbit owner who keeps their precious pet inside the home knows the importance of using appropriate rabbit litter in the litter box. It can mean a great difference in the quality of air within your home.
Most rabbit varieties are easily trained to use rabbit litter boxes. Rabbits use their litter boxes to lounge around in as well, and will want to chew on the rabbit litter in them. For this reason, care will need to be taken on the material that is used for litter. There are several items that do not work well as rabbit litter due to their nature. Cedar or pine wood shavings should never be used, as it is typically thought that liver damage to your rabbit may result. Cat litter that is clay based or that promotes clumping are no-no’s as well. Sand and or dirt will not attract the rabbit or entice it to use the box as a toilet, so it will produce no good results by using those mediums.
Plain rabbit pellets can be used as litter, but you will need to watch your rabbit to be sure he doesn’t overeat by having the pellets in the litter box. Using the pellets can be an inexpensive means of providing litter, however, as well as being a safe medium that your rabbit can chew upon.
There are several types of rabbit litter that can be purchased that are safe to use in litter boxes. They may contain an organic matter that includes alfalfa, oat, citrus or paper. These types of materials are healthy for the rabbit, and are also absorbent in nature to do the job for which they are designed.
Your rabbit may prefer to use simple hay for its rabbit litter box material. Hay is a fine material to use in that it will not harm the rabbit, but you will need to add paper, such as newspaper, at the bottom of the box underneath the hay to absorb the urine. This method will entail the additional task of changing the litter box every day; adding fresh hay and replacing the soiled newspaper with dry and clean.
An important note about training rabbits: never scold or attempt to punish a rabbit for not using or missing the rabbit litter box. Praise and reward methods work very well when litter training a rabbit, so these should be implemented instead. Each time your rabbit successfully uses the litter box, reward it with a small treat and a complimentary tone in your voice.
Rabbits are easily litter trained, and by using the safest and cleanest type of rabbit litter possible you will have less work in cleaning up after them. The best litter will be absorbent, control odor and be safe for your pet, while at the same time causing less work for you.